NCJ Number
242645
Date Published
February 2013
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This report by the Prison Policy Initiative examines the effect of postcard-only mail rules in the Nation's jails.
Abstract
This report by the Prison Policy Initiative examines the effect that postcard-only mail rules have on prisoner's in the Nation's jails. Beginning in 2007, jails in at least 13 States across the country have adopted postcard-only mail rules. The basic tenet behind the rule is that these policies are implemented in order to decrease jail expenditures by streamlining the mail screening process and limiting opportunities to introduce contraband into correctional facilities. The effect of these policies has been to severely limit incarcerated people's ability to communicate with the outside world, thereby decreasing their chances for successful rehabilitation and reentry into the community. The report examines the following issues: the importance of letter correspondence for incarcerated individuals; the disproportionately large burden that the policies place on families and communities of incarcerated people, especially Black and low-income families; the impact that the policies have on reentry and recidivism rates; and the overly broad reach of the policies and the unintended consequences that result from them. The report includes a set of recommendations for replacing the policies and improving communication for incarcerated individuals. These recommendations include allowing communication via letter and envelope; giving State regulatory agencies oversight of jail mail policies; suggesting that professional correctional associations should not accredit those facilities with postcard-only mail policies; and suggesting that Federal, State, and local corrections agencies decline to enter into or renew contracts with facilities that have postcard-only mail policies. 78 endnotes